In a world where outrage sells and clicks equal cash, have we become unwitting prisoners of the media's fear-generating machines?
You know the media's strategy for success: target our emotions. Online algorithms have mastered this art, refining their ability to provoke outrage in a continual scroll. The result? Too often we’re glued to our screens, with our happiness the price we pay.
I saw this firsthand while away from it all on my last vacation. When I returned, the outrage machine was easy to see. It's like reducing salt in your diet; suddenly, "normal" tastes overwhelmingly wrong.
In the last two weeks, three separate conversations with friends made this clear. Each commented on the "awful" state of something, like the "rude youth of today." Yet, when I probed, "Is this something you've witnessed firsthand?" they were stumped. The news routinely makes bad outliers seem normal. The young people I know are pretty polite … I’ve flown around the world and back, yet have never seen an in-air freakout … my nephew’s school isn’t kooky, at least yet. The list goes on and on.
So, here's my plan: for the next two weeks, I'm eliminating the "angry" from my media diet. No news feeds, no social media sites, no television news, unless something genuinely vital breaks. It's the Christmas season, a perfect time for an anger detox.
Consider joining me! Let's see if life tastes a little sweeter without the constant addition of media-induced outrage. I suspect we'll find that the world isn't as grim as it's painted to be.
On January 2nd, I’ll be back here, rain or shine. (Assuming global warming or the swarming hordes of illegals don’t take me out, of course.) And I'll return with a summary of the most important news we missed.
I hope you give it some serious thought.
Either way, I wish you a Merry Christmas and New Year. I’ll have more videos in 2024, which I hope can provide nuance instead of outrage on interesting topics.
Chat soon!
– Ken
I like your idea Ken. It has been a struggle to stay positive during these difficult times for us conservatives. So your idea just might be the gift I need is Holiday season.
Merry Christmas Ken and I hope this new year brings You good health and happiness.
Thanks. Excellent advice I think I will heed.